The Samsung Galaxy X Launch Details

We had earlier speculated that Samsung will be launching the Samsung Galaxy X at the Galaxy UNPACKED KL 2018 event. Sadly, while we were expecting DJ Koh (who’s coming all the way to Malaysia for the UNPACKED KL 2018 event), to reveal the Galaxy X, it looks like it will NOT be unveiled at this event.

The Galaxy UNPACKED KL 2018 event event will, instead, be all about the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2018), although we are still hoping that they will reveal something about the Galaxy X / F / FX. Our source did mention “devices”, not just a single “device”…

It looks like Samsung will most likely reveal the Galaxy X / Galaxy F / Galaxy FX at the Samsung Developer Conference 2018 next month (7-8 November 2018).

In any case, we have already locked in our invitation, so watch out for our live coverage of the launch event. Heck, you may even see us on the livestream that will be show on www.samsung.com!

What’s It Really Called???

It is known by many names. Its original codename was said to be Project Valley. That was later renamed Project Winner. In fact, the Android 9.0 manifest has references to “winnerlte_us”

Codenames aside, it was originally branded as the Samsung Galaxy X, but more recent rumours have it renamed as Samsung Galaxy F – F for Foldable, F for First.

However, we think it could possibly be called Samsung Galaxy FX. Why?

Samsung Galaxy F was a premium device that was cancelled in 2014.

The letter F is associated with failure, and even used as a failing grade, in many countries.

The invitation included a teaser – “Get ready to witness Four X Fun with Samsung “A Galaxy Event” in Malaysia“.

Even the images in the original invitation and subsequent reminders kept emphasising 4x fun.

Samsung Galaxy FX has a nicer ring than just Samsung Galaxy F!

Of course, the smaller x could refer to a number in this new family, with futures model called Samsung Galaxy F2, Galaxy F3 and so on. After all, DJ Koh did indicate that this would not be a one-off design, but may continue as a new series.

But Wait… There Could Be FOUR Galaxy X Devices!

The Samsung Galaxy S10 could possibly be renamed as the Galaxy X. If the Galaxy S10 becomes the new Galaxy X, then the foldable smartphone will likely be called Galaxy FX.

If Samsung maintains the Galaxy S10 name, then we believe the foldable smartphone will be called Galaxy X. We still think Galaxy F is less likely than Galaxy X, no matter what the rumours say.

What Is Its Model Number?

We are very certain that its model number will be SM-G888. In fact, the support page for the South Korean model SM-G888N0 has already been created, although it’s currently empty.

It also ties in with very odd nicknames that have been floating around – Triple Eight or Treble Eight (bad spelling?).

The Samsung Galaxy X Specifications

Its specifications are, arguably, Samsung’s best-kept secret. Here is everything we know so far about the Samsung Galaxy X :

It will be marketed as an ultra-premium gaming smartphone.

It will feature a very large foldable OLED display – reputedly 7-inch to 7.3-inch in size.

The display will not have Gorilla Glass or any similar kinds of protective glass, because they are not flexible enough.

It will run on a Samsung Exynos SoC, even in the United States. Presumably the same Exynos 9810 powering the Samsung Galaxy Note9, although the newer Exynos 9820 is still a real possibility.

For an ultra-premium device targeted at gamers, we expect it to come with 8 GB of LPDDR4x memory, and 512 GB of internal storage.

It will run on Android Pie – its codename is referenced in the configuration files of a leaked build!

Samsung Galaxy X Price + Availability

Let us be frank – this is cutting-edge technology right there. Samsung has been developing foldable displays for many years now, and the world’s first foldable smartphone will NOT be cheap.

According to Kim Jang-yeol of Golden Bridge Investment, the Samsung Galaxy X / F / FX could cost as much as two million won, or about US$1,750 / £1350 / RM 7,300.

This will very likely be an ultra-premium device manufactured in small numbers. This is not going to be a mass market premium smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy Note9.

And don’t expect it to be available quite so soon. While DJ Koh will reveal it on 11 October 2018, it will likely only be available for sale in early 2019… at least in most parts of the world.

There are reports that they may make it available in small markets (sounds like Malaysia will be amongst the first!), with a gradual rollout globally in the first half of 2019.